Of course I'm a feminist. I know very few self-respecting women who aren't, even if some of them would never refer to themselves that way.

Most of my women friends proudly call themselves feminists, however. And most of my male friends are feminists as well.

You are a total feminist. This doesn't mean you're a man hater (in fact, you may be a man).

The mentality this is addressing drives me insane, and it's sooooo prevalent now. They are right to call people's attention to it, even though it grates to be reminded of how misguided some people have become about the word "feminist."

I agree that it's some sort of backlash that makes people recoil at the very word. In short, it keeps women in their place to marginalize and ridicule a philosophy that simply aspires for women to be equal. How ridiculous! That many women themselves —true, actual feminists in their every action — have fallen prey to that backlash mentality is disheartening.